Water-filter



(No Model.) 2Sheets-4Sheet1. H. C. STIFEL.

WATER FILTER.

Patented May 11,1897.

, 2 Sheets--SheetJ 2. H. C. STIPEL.

WATER FILTER.

(No Model.)

Patented May 11 Har/fafa UNITED STATES PATENT `f5.1 EEICE.

HERMAN O.` STIFEL, OF Sl. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY IVIESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T() TIIE AMERICAN TRIPOLI COMPANY, OF GARTIIAGE, MISSOURI.

-- WATER-FILTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 582,441, dated May 11, 1897.

Application filed March 28, 1895.

l claims.

Figure I is an elevation of my improved filter, part in section. Fig. II is an enlarged detail vertical section taken on line II II, Fig. I. Fig. III is an enlarged detail horizontal section taken on line III III, Fig. I. Fig. IV is an enlarged detail Vertical section taken on line IV IV, Fig. I. Fig. V is an enlarged detail vertical section through the ram-cylinders, taken on line V V, Fig. III. Fig. VI is an enlarged vertical section of the valve device, this section being taken on line VI VI, Fig. VII. Fig. VII is a section taken on line VII VII, Fig. VI. Fig. VIII is an enlarged vertical section of the valve and its housing that controls the passage of water to the cylinder of the valve dev ice.

Referring 'to the drawings, l represents a filtering-tank, which may be supported on suitable legs 2. At the upper end of the tank is a clear-water chamber 3, with which the filtering-stones 4. communicate, (see Fig. IL) each stone being secured to a head 5, controlled by a valve 6.

The valve 6 has a hollow stem passing through a stufiing-box, as shown in Fig. II, and this stem is provided with a petcock, as shown at 6, Fig. I. The normal position of the valve is open, but by forcing the stem down the valve will be seated, as shown in Fig. II, and then by opening the petcock the stone can be tested to see whether it is cracked or broken, for if it is dirty water will pass through the cock.

7 represents a supply-pipe on the receiving Side of avalve device 8, and 9 the supply-pipe extending from the valve device to the upper end of the filtering-tank, with which it communicates through a horizontal branch l0 Serial No. 543,458. (No model.)

communicates with the space between the valves 2l and 22 when the valve device is in its normal position, but communicates with the space between the valves 22 and 23 when the valve device is raised.

24 represents the Waste-pipe, communicating with the extreme lower end of the Valve device, and 25 represents a drain-pipe forming a communication between the lower endV of the ilteringtank and the valve device and communicating with the space between' the valves 22 and 23 when the valve device is in its lower position.

26 represents a clear-water pipe, through which the water passes from the chamber 3 of the iiltering-tank to the valve device, this pipe communicating with the space between the valves 17 and 1S when the valve device is in its normal position, and communicating also with this space is a discharge-pipe 27, that leadssfrom the valve device to the storagetank. (Not shown.) Located over the valve device, within a tank 29, is a cylinder 30,within which is a piston 3l, secured to the upper end of the rod 16. On one side of the cylinder 30 is a valve-chamber 32, communicating with the opposite ends/ ot' the -cylinder through means of ports 33 and 34. Vithin the chamber 32 is an upper valve 35 and a lower valve 36 on a rod or stem 37, the upper end of which is engaged by a pivoted lever 38, carrying a float 39. The stem 37 beneath the point 40, Figs. VI and VIII, is reduced in size and is made hollow and has perforations il above the valve 35. The chamber 32 is lined by a sleeve 42, that is perforated, as shown at 43, opposite the ports 33 and 34, and is also perforated at 44 opposite a pipe 45, that forms a communication between the chamber 32 and the supply-pipe 7 on the receiving side of the valve device. (See Fig. l.)

One side of the cylinder 30 is provided with a petcock 46, the cylinder being perforated at 47 opposite the same.

4S represents a pipe forming a communication between the waste-pipe 2l and the space between the valves 19 and 2O when the valve device is in its lower position.

53 represents a port or passage-way extending up along the side of the barrel 12 and forming a communication between the upper end of the pipe 48 and the interior of the barrel at the upper end of the latter. (See Fig. VI.) The object of this passageway is to allow for the escape of any water that may get above the valves on the stem 1G int-o the waste, so as to avoid any danger of water escaping` at the open end of the barrel of the valve device.

The supply-pipe 9 hasabran ch 51, provided with a valve 52, (see Fig. IIL) this branch 5l draining into the tank 29.

50 represents a clear-water cylinder communicating-with the clear-water chamber 3 of the filtering-tank through means of a pipe 5l. (See Fig. V.) The clear-water-discharge pipe 27 communicates with the chamber 3 through means of a pipe 54e by being connected to the upper end ot the cylinder 50.

55 represents a piston in the cylinder 50, connected by a rod 56 to a piston 57 in a cylinder 58.

59 represents an outlet-pipe forming a communication between the lower end of the cylinder 58 and the space between the valves 19 and 20 when the valve device is in its lower position.

GO represents a stuffing-box at the upper end of the cylinder 5S, and 61 a drip-cup on the upper end of the cylinder, which is designed to catch any water that may escape through the stuffing-box G0. This cup has a pipe 62, through which any water caught by the cup may escape into the tank 29.

63 represents a port or passage-way forming a communication between the cylinder 58 and the interior of the tank l beneath the chamber 3, there being a space 6l between the upper edge of the tank and the bottom of the chamber 3, through which water will pass to and from the cylinder 58.

65 represents a cylinder or barrel located Over the filtering-tank and communicating with the interior of the tank through means of a tube G6,that traverses the chamber 3, as shown in Fig. 1I. )Vithin the cylinder (55 is a float G7, having a stem (5S on its upper end, provided with a valve GS), adapted to seat against a diaphragm in the head 7l of the cylinder (55, and above the valve the head 7l is formed with perforations 72, and beneath the valve the head has perforations 7 3, these perforations permitting the passage of air when the valve 69 is open.

The operation of my improved iiltcr is as follows: The valve device being in the position shown in Fig. I, water passes through the pipes 7 and 9 into the iiltering-tank and, percolatin g through the stones 4, enters the chamber 3 and passes through the cylinder 50, filling it, and through the pipe 27 to the valve device and out through the pipe 26 to the storage-tank. At the same time water is dripping through the branch 5l of the pipe 9 into t-he tank 29. As the water in the tank raises the fioat 39 it lowers the valves 35 and 3G, shutting ofi. the pressure from the supplypipe (through the branch l5) to the upper side of the piston 3l and opening the passage of water to the under side of the piston 3l through the port The piston 3l will now commence to rise, moving' the valve device to the position shown in Fig. VII. As the valve device is thus moved a communication is opened between the tank 1 and the wastepipe 24C through the drain-pipe 25, the supply-pipe 9 is cut off, (although this is not essential, as the supply may be left open in whole or in part by an adjustment of one of the Valves 22,) and the supplypipe 7 is opened to the pipe 59 of the cylinder 58 and the discharge-pipe 27 is cut ofi from the discharge-pipe 2G. This movement of the valve device is thus eiii'eeted through direct or positive pressure from the supply-pipe and the pistons 55 and 57 are driven upward by direct pressure from the supply-pipe. lVhile the filtering operation was going on a small portion of the unfiltered water passed through the space G-l and through the passage (33 and filled the cylinder 5S. This water is now driven by the upward movement of the piston 57 back through the filtering-tank outside of the filtering-stones and the clear water in the cylinder 50 is driven back through the stones. Upon the iirst part of' the upward movement of the valve device the drainpipe 25 is opened to the waste-pipe and the valve 69 drops from its seat, allowing a free admission of' air to the filtering tank, so

that the unfiltered water rapidly moves out have finished their stroke and all or nearly all of the unfiltered water has moved out of the filter-tank. The mud on the stones has been loosened, but only partially removed. Vhen the valve device returns to normal position, clear water enters cylinder 50 and forces the pistons 55 and 57 back to norlnal position. It is not essential, however, that the cylinders 50 and 5S shall form a part of the apparatus in order to loosen the mud on the stones. This result can be accomplished by using the pressure in the clear-water-storage tank, which may be elevated to cause back- TOO IIO

flow or arranged in any other suitable manner to produce this effect, as follows: Vhen the piston 31 commences to rise, the immediate effect is to open a communication between the tank l and the waste-pipe 24 through the drain-pipe 25. The location of the valves of the valve device can be such that Water has been running out through the drain-pipe for some time before valve 18 cuts off communication between the clear-waterstorage tank and the filtering-tank, thus permitting the pressure from the storage-tank to force clear water back through the stones as soon as the un filtered water begins to flow out through the drain-pipe and effecting a preliminary wash, which loosens the mud from the stones. The valves in the valve device continue to rise gradually, and finally Valve 1S cuts off communication between the storage-tank and the filtering-tank. After the valves move downward again this communication is restablished and the secondary wash takes place, as previously described. As the piston 3l commences to rise from its lower position the water above it escapes through the perforations 4l into the hollow stem 37 and enters the tank 29, and when the piston falls again the water passes beneath through the port 33 into the tank.

'73 represents a Siphon-pipe forming a communication between the upper part of the tank 29 and the waste-pipe 24, the upper end of this pipe being inclosed by a tube or sleeve 79. (See Fig. I.) After the valve device is raised it is desirable to get a quick flow of water into the tank 29 to start the siphon, and for this purpose I provide the petcock 46, which admits a iiow of water from the cylinder 30 into the tank 29 when the piston 3l is raised. This flow of water takes place after the dripping of the water from valve 5,2 raises the float 39 and the piston 31 has raised to its upper position and insures a quick and positive action of the siphon. As the siphon drains the tank the float 39 falls, lifting the valves 35 and 36, and directly water passes from the supply-pipe above the piston 31,

.which drives the valve device back to its normal or original position.

It is highly desirable to have a much stronger force of water pass back through the filteringstones than that exerted during the filtering operation. For this reason I provide the pipe 9`with a reducing thimble or sleeve 75, (see Fig. IV,) that is placed in the coupling 76. The opening through this thimble or sleeve lis much smaller in area than that of the pipes source of feed. The lowering of the valves in the valve device, however, has the effect of reopening communication between the clearwaterstorage reservoir and the filteringstones by means of the pipe 27, which is much larger than that which is feeding unfiltered water to the filter-tank. As a consequence clear water is driven back copiously through the stones, washing them off thoroughly, at the same time that unfiltered Water is slowly entering the filter-tank through the reduced su pply-pipe 9. This secondary and heavy wash is exceptionally effective, because during the larger part of it there is no water on the other side of the stones to offer resistance or hold the loosened mud against the surface by fiotaiion.

I claim as my inventionl. A filter having a fiushing-outlet, a flushing-inlet, and a separate inlet through which is supplied the water to be filtered, independent pipes communicating with the respective inlets of the filter, and of which pipes that which supplies water to be filtered is reduced in capacity relatively to the other pipe, a suitable water-supply, and a valve device of substantially the character described, alternately connecting the water-supply with the reduced inlet-pipe and communicating the pressure of the supply-pipe to the fiushinginlet pipe and at the same time opening the flushing-outlet, substantially in the manner set forth.

2. A water-lilterhavinga flushing inlet and outlet and a separate inlet for water to be filtered which is of less capacity than the flushing-inlet, a suitable water-supply and a valve device arranged substantially as described for alternately directing the pressure to the respective inlets and opening the fiushingoutlet as and for the purpose explained.

3. A filter having flushing inlet and outlet and a separate inlet of reduced capacity for supplying water to be filtered, in combination wit-h a receptacle for receiving the fiushingwater, having an ejecting-piston, and a valve device of substantially the character specified having communication with a suitable watersupply and constructed to direct the pressure of said supply alternately to the reduced inlet and to the ejecting-piston, and also opening the fiushing-outlet substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

4. A filter having an inlet for Water to bc filtered, an outlet for filtered water, and a fiushing-outlet, in combination with a receptacle for filtered water, a piston for ejecting the ltered water from said receptacle, a pipe of greater capacity than the filtered-Water inlet, communicating with said ejecting-piston, a suitable water-supply and a valve device operating substantially as described to first direct the water-supply to the unfiltered-water inlet and then to open the fiushing-outlet and direct said water-supply through the enlarged pipe to the ejecting-piston substantially as set forth.

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5. A filter having a ushing inlet and outlet, an independent inlet for unfiltered Water, an outlet for fiitered water, cylinders containing pistons communicating respectively with the inside and the outside of the stones, a pipe of larger capacity than the inlet for unfiltered water, having connections for controlling the pistons in said cylinders, a suitable water-supply, and a valve device having connections whereby it alternately connects the water-supply to the reduced unfiltered- Water inlet and then to the enlarged pipe which controls the pistons in the cylinders, and opens the fiushing-outlet substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In combination with a water-filter; an unfiltered-Water inlet, an independent inlet for flushing the filter, a flushing-outlet, a suitable Water-supply, and an automatic valve device of substantially the character described, controlling the inlets and the outlet and having its connections arranged so that it first opens the flushing-outlet an d afterward the fiushing-inlet, for the purposes herein explained.

7. In combination with a water-filter, having unfiltered-water inlet and filtered-Water outlet, a storage-receptacle receiving filtered water and having communication with the filter, a cylinder receiving a portion of the filtered water and having an ejecting-piston, a fiushing-outlet for the filter, a suitable Water-supply, and a valve device of substantially the character specified, controlling the communication of the Water-supply, communicating the filtered Water to the storage-receptacle, and the communication of the Water-supply pressure to the ejecting-piston; such valve device being arranged to first cause the ejection of the filtered Water from the cylinder, and then to permit a backflow from the filtered Waterstorage receptacle substantially as described.

S. In combination with a water-filter having a wash-out and an air-inlet to permit water to run out of the filter, a water-forcing cylinder having wash-out connection with the filter and a valve device having Watersupply connections and constructed to first open the wash-out outlet, and afterward to communicate the pressure of the supply to eject the water from the cylinder, substaniiiallly as explained and for the purpose set ort 1.

9. In combination with a filter having pipe connections for substantially the purposes set forth, a valve device for controlling said pipe connections, a cylinder containing a piston which controls said device, and having connection with the Water-supply, a valve controlling the admission of the supply-pressure to opposite sides of the piston, a free exhaust-outlet for one -end of said cylinder and a retarding exhaust-outlet for the other end and automatic mechanism controlling said last-named valve as explained.

lO. In a water-filter, having an automatic valve device for controlling the passage of Water to and from the filtering-tank, a device for operating said valve device consisting of a tank, a cylinder located within the tank and having a piston connected to the stem of the valve device, a float located within the tank, a valve-stem with which said fioat is connected, valves on said stem, and a petcock in said cylinder and which is adapted to open communication between the tank and the supply-pipe when the valve device is raised, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

ll. The combination of a filtering-tank, a supply-pipe, a drain-pipe for said filteringtank, and a valve device With which said pipes communicate, a storage-tank for containing clear water in communication with the filter-tank and valve device, a wash-out also connected with the filter and valve device, whereby on the operation of the valve device a preliminary wash may be given the filter from the storage-tank, and a secondary Wash from the wash-out, substantially as shown and described.

12. In a Water-filter, the combination of a filtering-tank, a waste-pipe, a supply-pipe, a valve device Which controls the communication between the filtering-tank and the wastepipe, and an automatic device for actuating the valve device at intervals, whereby the tank is opened or closed to the Waste-pipe by the hydrostatic pressure in the supplypipe acting directly upon said valve device independent of the ow of water through the filter, substantially as set forth.

HERMAN C. STIFEL.

In presence of- A. C. BROWN, STANLEY SToNER.

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